My country, tis of thee…
As I said a long, long time ago, I tend to come down on the critical side of issues and ideas. That is, if I can either be too soft or too harsh on a issue of controversy, too harsh is my tendency. Keep that in mind.
That said, today’s post is about our great country, the United States of America. The land of opportunity. The land you find yourself living in (unless your Britt), right now.
Consider the following situation: There is a horrible car wreck. One car is on fire, and you only have the time to rescue one of the two occupants of the car. You know that one of them is fully aware of their situation, and knows good and well that they will die if they persist in staying in the car. The other is unconscious, and therefore unable to know that the fire is even present and a danger to them. Which person do you attempt to rescue?
[for purposes of this discussion, the conscious person is able to get out of the car themselves, should they choose to. There are also a horde of people working to get the conscious person out as well.]
Now, this analogy has a few holes in it, but the idea I am trying to convey is this: the people of America represent the person in the car that is fully aware of their situation. They may argue it, fight it till their death, do all they can to deny it, but the facts (that is, the Gospel) are on the table, the writing’s on the wall. That is to say, the warning that the way of sin is the way of death is ever-present in the USA. More importantly, the way to faith in Christ is thoroughly published, printed, recorded, it’s everywhere. Any person who does not find their way to faith in Christ will not be because there simply wasn’t enough information out there about Christ.
But that other person, the one who has no idea they are about to perish… they represent the countless peoples of the world outside the U.S. that have no immediate witness to the truth. If they die, it’s without faith in Christ, because no one told them that it was an option to them. Do you care? Does this even matter to you? I’m angry. Forget angry. I’m pissed off, physically shaking, in tears. For I care more about getting cable internet service to my new place of residence than about the man who died Christ-less as I type these words.
Let’s look at this another way. You can argue the theology about what I’ve said so far. But consider the human needs of these people. They’re starving, RIGHT NOW. They’re dying of thirst, THIS MOMENT. They are dying and becoming maimed by diseases and conditions that a 15 cent shot of medicine can cure. DOES THIS MATTER TO YOU? Do you even bat an eyelash to any of what I say? HOW DARE I sit here in a air-conditioned cubicle for one minute longer than it takes to have my life and my wife’s life where I have no pending financial or moral responsibilities due to anyone (loans, contracts, educations, etc.) and get out of this country. The people here are fed. They are clothed. Even the poor among us have ways to get relief (hell, the poor here are richer than large numbers of the middle class in other places).
So that’s me. Where does it leave you? Do you see America as your place to live, your place to live out your days in blissfulness? The place where you were raised, married, had your own kids, retire, collect seashells on the beach, and when you die, and present your seashell collection to God as the witness of the last 15 years of your life? (blatantly stolen example from one John Piper).
I reject that choice, that lifestyle. I’m done with this country. I would go as far as saying that unless you feel a specific calling to STAY in this country, it is selfish to remain. I mean, if you aren’t called to stay in the U.S., and you know the needs of the world and consciously make the decision to not go to the world and instead live in this country, what other word is there to describe your actions? This country is safe, it’s comfortable, its a country of lavish luxury. What do any of those things have to do with the life Christ has called us to?
I know some of you do feel called to serve in other nations, and are only waiting for the door to be opened for your place to serve, or to finish serving responsibilities and commitments you made in this country. I know some of you feel called to stay here to support those that go and to minister to those who live here. I know others of you have never seriously considered leaving this country for another, and just always assumed this would be your home. Please listen to my plea. I am trying to speak for the oppressed, those who have no voice of their own. They need YOU. If not you, then who?
On that note, I am drained. I have said all I can on the topic, and if you feel I am as wrong as the sun is purple, let me know in the comments down there. I said I would be harsh at the beginning, I hope I delivered on that promise enough to reach your heart, but not enough for you to write me off as a nutcase.
And if you want more on this topic, and to read an article that greatly influenced me, consider this link. It gives a much more… level-headed view of the topic, and answers common objections: Why You Should Go To The Mission Field.
FL: Telephone Songs - If you can’t be bothered to read all my words when I actually am writing about something that is meaningful, here’s a funny link for you. Go learn to play Frere Jacques on your cellie and leave me be.
My friend has emotion! I loved this post. I’ve finally been let into your heart. Thank you for your honesty. The sun is not purple. You are right.
oyymgf
OMG, its a flippin yo yo
my musings will be short - as i have a large cut on my palm from a dancing girl who decide last night to kick up her heels - literally - into my right hand - not fun - but a funny story
i massively agree with you - i even have on my ONE band as we speak - and people with your convictions are extremely important in Christ’s army - but i also think it is important for many of us to live our lives and simply show our faith through what we do and how we conduct ourselves - a lot of people in our country don’t understand Christ - they don’t understand the true church - they understand tv evangelists, jerry fallwell, and abortion clinic bombers - and the hate filled acts commited daily “in the name of Christ” make me as ill as the plight of many of the third world nations (for those thinking the war at home is over - read this: http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292925-1546852.php )
this is when i have to trust that He knows what He’s doing and i should try not to get into the whole “everything is wrong and there’s nothing i can really do about it” mindset
but a warning to those who are not called (eric this doesn’t apply to you - or ben and gina - or adam - or probably most of the rest of you - but none the less) - i also think it is dangerous to go running off to other countries without a spiritual mandate from Above - missions work is no joke - and while i want in no way to take away from/accuse wrongdoing towards any of the martyrs who have given their life for our faith - i always would warn anyone who maybe has graduated school and doesn’t have a job and decides “maybe i’ll be a missionary” that assuming you know what He would like you to do - and doing it without calling - could have dire consequences - and puts you in the same basket as at least some of the aforementioned televangelists - thinking they are doing what God would have them do, all the while doing more harm to our faith than good
i leave you with a word from the the good reverand dave: “the only thing worse than not going into the ministry when you are called is going into the ministry when you are not called”
I feel your heart, rob-fizzle. It’s all rockstar w/ a big bandage on it, or something.
I was going to try and present my own response lucidly, but the late Keith Green from that link at the bottom presents a better way to say it:
2) “But God needs people to stay here to be a witness to those lost in America. There’s enough need right here!”
It is true that God has called some people to stay right where they are to be witnesses for Jesus in their daily lives and professions. But again, God is merciful and just. Since America has only about 5% of the world’s population, then only about 5% of the believers would really be called to stay in this country as a witness ( that’s only about 1 out of 20) while the rest of us should go into the parts of the world where there are almost 0% believers. (In Albania, for instance, there are only “a handful” of known believers in the whole country of 2.7 million people - less than 1/2 of 1/1000th percent!!)
—————————–
As for being cognizant of your calling… again, Mr. Green has the words I don’t:
1) “But I’m not called.”
You don’t know how many people I’ve met who have said to me “Keith, I agree that more people need to go to the mission field, but I’ve never heard God tell me to go.”
Well, the truth is that God has already told you to go in His Word. In fact, He commands you to go… “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” ( Mark 16:15) That’s right… YOU ARE CALLED!
In fact, if you don’t go, you need a specific calling from God to stay home. Has God definitely told you not to “go” somewhere outside your country to preach the Gospel? If He hasn’t, then you’d better start praying WHERE to go, instead of IF you should go - for again, you’re already called!
—————————–
I know to some extent I’m falling into the bias that I believe my own calling is what EVERYONE is supposed to do. Obviously, it’s not the best thing for America if every last follower of Christ packed their bags and went to Kerbleckistan. I don’t think that is our concern though, being as we’re nearly at the complete opposite end of the spectrum - nearly every last follower of Christ is staying here.
As for the whole “going when you’re not called”… no doubt about it, that is a horrible error. At the same time, there are many seasons of a persons life, its not necessarily the case that if you are called to the U.S. at the moment that that won’t change in 5 years.
I am by no means advocating any sort of recklessness, unless its recklessness that God called you to do.
One thing we need to keep in mind:
Jesus spent 30 years preparing for a 3-year ministry.
Derek makes a good point. I think most of us would consider ourselves to be in that *preparation stage* currently.
But if we are, we need to be looking toward what is next. On that topic…
I would like to address a few issues related to “calling”, but I think sometimes this idea is a little over-rated.
What I mean is, most of the time in scripture, someone being “called” refers to them leaving their old life and following Jesus. You don’t see Paul or Peter or James making even a slightly big deal out of “figuring out your calling” in terms of the occupational sense. They say to make our calling and election sure, but even this addresses something different.
An example… In Matthew 25, in the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus contrasts people who either did or did not clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit those in prison, etc.
He didn’t say only if the Holy Spirit calls you to do it.
My point is this:
Do we need a specific calling when Scripture is already so blatantly clear?
Sometimes I think we just simply already know what we need to do and don’t do it in the name of “waiting on a word from the Lord”. There’s a balance to this, but I think the scales are tipped in one direction.
I don’t want to stand before Jesus, and as he’s asking me why I never clothed or fed him, explain that I wasn’t specifically called to do it.
And frankly, I have a hard time when things are going on like they are in the Darfur region of Sudan as well as hundreds of other places in Africa and elsewhere abroad. Refugee camps where over 10000 people die per month? I understand that there are people with needs in the US, but talk about hungry, naked, thirsty people… ugh!
To wrap things up, my concern is that we can live our whole lives planning on eventually doing something, but just continue in comfort to our graves…
yo, Eric, cudos, dude …
good stuff, all …
A couple things from someone in another country.
There is need everywhere. I would definitely agree that physical and spiritual needs are greater in other countries. Dr. Cho (the pastor of the largest church in the world, based here in Seoul, Korea) goes around the world to speak. He is a big believer in prayer (a whole other topic) and prays intensely before he speaks. In fact, he prays until he feels a spiritual difference, what he would call through the flesh and spiritual strongholds. He says in Korea he only has to pray an average of a couple hours to accomplish this. In Japan? Four or five hours. In America? Maybe one. As a foreigner, he believes the gospel is much easier to spread in America.
Now, it is difficult for some Americans or even evangelicals to see that, but as someone who has been all over the world myself, this is true. I’m not even talking about cultural American Christianity. I’m just talking about the basics of the gospel.
So I agree with Eric on the point that there is a large population outside the US that desperately needs the gospel.
But should we all go? I would say that the plan is not that we all go. Because of the need here in the US and the way it is described in Scripture, there are many who are specifically “called” to go to other countries. Others are specifically “called” to help them and support them. But don’t misunderstand me … we are all called to be a part of missions … or the Great Commission, if that makes you more comfortable.
America actually sends out more evangelical missionaries (and I mean that in the “to spread the gospel” sense, not anti-charismatic sense) than any other country in the world or the history of the world. America, through its churches and its government, gives more money to hurting and needy people than any other country in the world or in the history of the world.
However awesome that is, as a “missionary” in another country, America could do more.
First of all, there are countless needs in countless ministries. Look up some major missions organizations and look at the opportunities or the needs section. It might make you cry. Because of 9/11 and the recent war in Iraq and other issues, Americans are not stepping out as much as they did a few years ago. And honestly, some places are more dangerous. So I believe we need more people in the field.
Secondly, Americans don’t give very much to missions. It is pulling teeth to get most Americans to tithe, much less give to missions personally. Its a problem in a number of “churches”. One of the teachers here comes from a church of 2,000. They don’t have any missions plan or designated offering in that area. They give money to her in special circumstances because they know her and her family attends the church, but other than that, they’re not involved in missions AT ALL. I’m going to India in a month and I’ll let several people know about the need for finances, which I have complete faith will be provided for, and I’ll give my friends and family an opportunity to give financially. I’d be surprised if I get anyone who will actually give me money. There will be a lot of excuses. “Oh, we would so love to help, but we can’t because we just bought _______ or need to pay for ________ .”
Most missionaries have this issue. They raise support, get commitments, but get maybe half of those commitments. That’s unfortunate to me.
Tragically, most missionaries have to be great salesmen to raise the support they need to live in another country. Its actually detestable to me.
Thirdly, how often do American Christians pray for missions or missionaries? Some might have a magnet on their fridge, but are they really committed to prayer? I doubt it. I’ll also have several people, if not all of them, say to me or themselves, “yeah, I’ll pray for them and their trip to India.” AND THEY NEVER WILL.
Understand that we need people to do all three. We need people to go and travel to these places and eat the strange foods and deal with holes in the ground for toilets and a bucket of cold water in the morning for a shower and no air conditioning and bugs and lice and body odor and language barriers and a host of other obstacles that become a joy when serving the Lord.
I’ve been there. I’ve done that.
We need people to give money and pray, too, to give of their hard earned money and maybe get a used car instead of a new one or do without Starbucks for a month or buy generic brands instead of name brands and spend an hour in prayer instead of watching your favorite TV show.
I’ve been there and done that, too. I’ve actually given more money to missions as a “missionary” than I ever did while living in the US.
And realize this. When you give money and pray, you are a part of that ministry. You recieve the same reward for that ministry. You share in the benefits on an eternal level. And its not a cop out to pray, to truly pray. Its just as important as the check in the mail.
I hope my perspective helps in clarifying and supporting what Eric feels.
I would also tell you, Eric, that I believe you are called to serve in missions in some capacity. I distinctly remember having a conversation with you and your wife about serving NICS as teachers or some other capacity overseas, and you were both excited about it. You have the heart and the attitude and the conviction. See where the Spirit leads you and step out. Its one thing to tell people its gonna rain. Its another to actually build the Ark.
Peace.
this made me really uncomfortable, and for that i thank you. love you brother. love all you guys.